Center Bancorp, Inc. Reports Net Income Available to Common Shareholders of $4.9 Million or $0.30 Per Share for the Second Quarter of 2013, Representing a 14.7% Increase

UNION, N.J., July 25, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Center Bancorp, Inc. (Nasdaq:CNBC) (the "Corporation", or "Center"), parent company of Union Center National Bank ("UCNB" or the "Bank"), today reported operating results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2013. Net income available to common stockholders amounted to $4.9 million, or $0.30 per fully diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, an increase of $626,000 or approximately 14.7 percent as compared with net income available to common stockholders of $4.3 million, or $0.26 per fully diluted common share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2012.

"Second quarter earnings remained strong with a continued improvement in our asset quality profile. We continued with momentum in expanding our presence in key markets, with the opening of our new Princeton office, our first location in Mercer County, New Jersey. This continues our goal of expanding our presence and visibility in markets we are drawing business from, allowing us to solidify and expand our service relationships. These types of actions, supported by our core earnings performance and strategic growth, create incremental shareholder value," said Anthony C. Weagley, President & Chief Executive Officer of Union Center National Bank.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net income available to common stockholders amounted to $9.8 million, or $0.60 per fully diluted common share, compared to $8.4 million, or $0.51 per fully diluted common share, for the same period in 2012.

Mr. Weagley added: "We are pleased with this quarter's earnings and believe that our sequential earnings performance demonstrates the Corporation's commitment to achieving meaningful growth in earnings performance -- an essential component of providing consistent and favorable long-term returns to our shareholders. Margins were relatively stable and are poised for improvement with further loan growth. Loans achieved sequential growth with solid pipelines and core loan growth. Small businesses lending remains strong despite the continued uncertainty about the economic recovery and broader fiscal uncertainty. Our current targeted net growth for the third quarter remains on track with our year-on-year growth projection."

Highlights for the quarter include:

• Strong balance sheet with improved credit trends compared to prior year.
   
• At June 30, 2013, total loans amounted to $902.8 million, an increase of $95.9 million compared to total loans at June 30, 2012, due primarily to organic growth and as a result of the Saddle River Valley Bank transaction completed in the third quarter of 2012.
     
• Reduction in non-performing assets, to 0.17 percent of total assets at June 30, 2013, compared to 0.36 percent at June 30, 2012 and 0.31 percent at December 31, 2012. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 398.4 percent at June 30, 2013 compared to 205.7 percent at June 30, 2012 and 278.9 percent at December 31, 2012.
   
• The Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.50 percent at June 30, 2013, compared to 9.23 percent at June 30, 2012, and 9.02 percent at December 31, 2012, exceeding regulatory guidelines in all periods.
   
• Tangible book value per common share rose to $8.14 at June 30, 2013, compared to $7.33 at June 30, 2012 and $8.11 at December 31, 2012.
   
• The efficiency ratio for the second quarter of 2013 on an annualized basis was 47.0 percent as compared to 47.1 percent in the second quarter of 2012 and 46.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2012.
   
• Deposits increased $106.2 million to $1.28 billion at June 30, 2013, from $1.17 billion at June 30, 2012, in part as a result of the Saddle River Valley Bank transaction.

Non-performing assets (NPAs) at the end of the second quarter totaled $2.8 million, or 0.17 percent of total assets, as compared with $5.0 million, or 0.31 percent, at December 31, 2012 and $5.4 million, or 0.36 percent, at June 30, 2012. 

Net Interest Income

For the three months ended June 30, 2013, total interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis increased $619,000 or 4.4 percent, to $14.6 million, compared to the three months ended June 30, 2012. Total interest expense decreased by $199,000, or 6.7 percent, to $2.8 million, for the three months ended June 30, 2013, compared to the same period last year. Net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis was $11.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013, increasing $0.8 million, or 7.44 percent, from $11.0 million for the comparable period in 2012. Compared to 2012, for the three months ended June 30, 2013, average interest earning assets increased $104.6 million while net interest spread and margin, on a tax-equivalent basis, decreased on an annualized basis by 3 basis points and 1 basis point, respectively. For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Corporation's net interest margin on a fully taxable equivalent annualized basis decreased to 3.28 percent as compared to 3.29 percent for the same three month period in 2012.

The 6.7 percent decrease in interest expense reflects a favorable shift in the deposit mix and the impact of the sustained low levels in short-term interest rates, offsetting higher volumes of interest bearing deposits. The average cost of funds declined 10 basis points to 0.91 percent from 1.01 percent for the quarter ended June 30, 2012 and on a linked sequential quarter increased 1 basis point compared to the first quarter of 2013. For the quarter ended June 30, 2013, the Corporation's annualized net interest spread decreased to 3.13 percent as compared to 3.16 percent for the same three month period in 2012.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, net interest income on a fully taxable equivalent basis amounted to $23.8 million, compared to $21.8 million for the same period in 2012. For the six month period ended June 30, 2013, interest income increased by $1.5 million while interest expense decreased by $515,000 from the same period last year. Compared to the same period in 2012, for the six months ended June 30, 2013, average interest earning assets increased $138.6 million while net interest spread and margin decreased on an annualized tax-equivalent basis by 8 basis points and 5 basis points, respectively.

Earnings Summary for the Period Ended June 30, 2013

The following table presents condensed consolidated statement of income data for the periods indicated. 

Other Income

Other income increased $103,000 for the second quarter of 2013 compared with the same period in 2012. During the second quarter of 2013, the Corporation recorded net investment securities gains of $600,000 compared to $513,000 in net investment securities gains for the same period last year. Excluding net securities gains, the Corporation recorded other income of $1.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2013 compared to other income, excluding net securities gains, of $1.1 million for the second quarter of 2012 and $1.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2012. Increases in other income in the second quarter of 2013 when compared to the second quarter of 2012 (excluding securities gains) were primarily from an increase of $31,000 in service charges on deposit accounts, $19,000 in loan related fees, an increase in bank owned life insurance income of $28,000, and an increase of $98,000 in annuities and insurance commissions, offset by a decline of $150,000 in other fees.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, total other income decreased $7,000 compared to the same period in 2012, primarily as a result of $531,000 related to lower net securities gains offset by increased income on bank owned life insurance, annuities and loan fees. Excluding net securities gains and losses, the Corporation recorded other income of $2.6 million for the six months ended June 30, 2013 compared to other income, excluding net securities gains and losses, of $2.1 million for the comparable period in 2012, an increase of $524,000 or 24.8 percent.

The following table presents the components of other income for the periods indicated.

Other Expense

Total other expense for the second quarter of 2013 amounted to $6.1 million, which was approximately $462,000 or 7.1 percent lower than other expense for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and primarily related to a decrease in employee salaries and benefits, which decreased $155,000. The decrease from the prior quarter in 2013 reflects lower benefit costs. Other decreases contributing to the decrease in operating overhead included FDIC insurance, marketing and advertising, occupancy and equipment and all other expense. These decreases were partially offset by increases in other real estate owned expense of $88,000, postage and delivery expense of $14,000, and professional and consulting expenses of $11,000.

The increase in other expense for the three months ended June 30, 2013, when compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2012, was approximately $386,000. Increases primarily included salaries and benefit expense of $280,000, occupancy and equipment expense of $205,000, marketing and advertising expense of $6,000, and other real estate owned expenses of $85,000. These increases were partially offset by decreases of $64,000 in professional and consulting, $18,000 in stationery and printing, $19,000 in computer expense, and $62,000 in FDIC insurance expense.

For the six months ended June 30, 2013, total other expense increased $1.1 million, or 9.7 percent, compared to the same period in 2012. Increases primarily included $652,000 in salaries and employee benefits, $411,000 in occupancy and equipment, $76,000 in marketing and advertising, $42,000 in other real estate owned expense, and $111,000 in other expenses. These increases were partially offset by decreases in FDIC insurance expense of $48,000, professional consulting expense of $91,000, stationery and printing expense of $17,000, and computer expense of $19,000.

The following table presents the components of other expense for the periods indicated. 

Commenting on the balance sheet, Mr. Weagley indicated: "We strengthened our strong balance sheet and completed our purchase and assumption of Saddle River Valley Bank, ending the second quarter with a strong Tier 1 ratio of 9.50%, up from 9.31% in the first quarter. We also continue to see positive signs for growth coupled with sustained asset quality."

Statement of Condition Highlights at June 30, 2013

• Continued strength in balance sheet with total assets amounted to $1.6 billion at June 30, 2013.
   
• Total loans were $902.8 million at June 30, 2013, increasing $95.9 million, or 11.9 percent, from June 30, 2012. Total real estate loans increased $62.5 million, or 11.1 percent, from June 30, 2012. Commercial loans increased $33.4 million, or 13.7 percent, year over year.
   
• Investment securities totaled $556.6 million at June 30, 2013, reflecting an increase of $26.4 million or 5.0 percent from June 30, 2012.
   
• Deposits totaled $1.28 billion at June 30, 2013, increasing $106.2 million, or 9.0 percent, since June 30, 2012. Total Demand, Savings, Money Market, and certificates of deposit less than $100,000 increased $111.6 million or 10.4 percent from June 30, 2012. The increases were attributable to continued core deposit growth in overall segments of the deposit base, as well as the Saddle River Valley Bank transaction.
   
• Borrowings totaled $151.2 million at June 30, 2013, decreasing $15.1 million from June 30, 2012, primarily due to the termination of a $10.0 million repurchase agreement and the prepayment of a $5.0 million FHLB New York advance.

Condensed Statements of Condition

The following table presents condensed statements of condition data as of the dates indicated. 

The following table reflects the composition of the Corporation's deposits as of the dates indicated. 

Loans

"Total loans achieved another milestone rising to $903 million during the second quarter, due to our continued momentum of growing client relationships and our loans coupled with the completion of the purchase and assumption of Saddle River Valley Bank," commented Mr. Weagley. "Outstanding loan balances increased while at the same time lending opportunities continued to fuel the Corporation's pipelines. These trends are expected to translate into strong growth in the third quarter," added Mr. Weagley.

The Corporation's net loans in the second quarter of 2013 increased $23.4 million, to $892.6 million at June 30, 2013, from $869.2 million at March 31, 2013. The allowance for loan losses amounted to $10.2 million at both June 30, 2013 and March 31, 2013. The loan growth during the period amounted to approximately $88.5 million in new loans and advances during the second quarter. This growth was offset in part by prepayments of $23.0 million coupled with scheduled payments, maturities and payoffs of $42.2 million. Average loans during the second quarter of 2013 totaled $888.2 million as compared to $790.4 million during the second quarter of 2012, representing a 12.4 percent increase.

At the end of the second quarter of 2013, the loan portfolio remained well diversified with commercial and industrial (C&I) loans, including owner-occupied commercial real estate loans, accounting for 30.8 percent of the loan portfolio, commercial real estate loans representing 49.1 percent of the loan portfolio, and consumer and other loans representing 15.8 percent of the loan portfolio. Construction and development loans accounted for only 4.3 percent of the loan portfolio. The loan volume increase within the portfolio amounted to $95.5 million in commercial and commercial real estate loans and $5.0 million in construction loans, offset by a decrease of and $4.7 million in residential mortgage loans. At June 30, 2012, net loans totaled $796.7 million.

The following reflects the composition of the Corporation's loan portfolio as of the dates indicated. 

At June 30, 2013, the Corporation had $239.2 million in overall undisbursed loan commitments, which includes largely unused commercial lines of credit, home equity lines of credit and available usage from active construction facilities. Included in the overall undisbursed commitments are the Corporation's "Approved, Accepted but Unfunded" pipeline, which includes approximately $84.3 million in commercial and commercial real estate loans and $990,000 in residential mortgages expected to fund over the next 90 days.

Asset Quality

Non-accrual loans decreased from $2.6 million at March 31, 2013 to $2.5 million at June 30, 2013. Other real estate owned at June 30, 2013 was $220,000, as compared to $1.5 million at March 31, 2013. The remaining property is under contract and scheduled to close in July with no further material losses. Performing troubled debt restructured loans, which are performing loans, had significantly decreased to $2.6 million at June 30, 2013 from $6.81 million at December 31, 2012 and $8.74 million at June 30, 2012 respectively.

The following table presents the components of non-performing assets and other asset quality data for the periods indicated. 

At June 30, 2013, non-performing assets totaled $2.8 million, or 0.17 percent of total assets, as compared with $5.4 million, or 0.36 percent, at June 30, 2012 and $5.0 million, or 0.31 percent, at December 31, 2012. The decrease from June 30, 2012 reflects the Corporation's ability to satisfactorily work out certain problem loans. The largest component of the remaining non-accrual loans is comprised of one relationship totaling $629,000, or 25.1 percent of the total, secured by a senior lien on a residential property, located in Morris County, New Jersey. This loan has been restructured, and is being monitored for performance under the terms and conditions of the restructured agreement. The remaining loans are primarily residential properties and are in the process of being worked out. 

The allowance for loan losses at June 30, 2013 amounted to approximately $10.2 million, or 1.13 percent of total loans. Excluding loans acquired from Saddle River Valley Bank and carried at fair value, the coverage ratio was 1.18 percent, compared to 1.27 percent of total loans at June 30, 2012. The allowance for loan losses as a percentage of total non-performing loans was 398.4 percent at June 30, 2013 compared to 205.7 percent at June 30, 2012.

Capital

At June 30, 2013, total stockholders' equity amounted to $161.3 million, or 10.0 percent of total assets. Tangible common stockholders' equity was $133.2 million, or 8.38 percent of tangible assets, compared to 8.08 percent at June 30, 2012. Book value per common share was $9.17 at June 30, 2013, compared to $8.36 at June 30, 2012. Tangible book value per common share was $8.14 at June 30, 2013 compared to $7.33 at June 30, 2012.

At June 30, 2013, the Corporation's Tier 1 leverage capital ratio was 9.50 percent, the Tier 1 risk-based capital ratio was 11.83 percent and the total risk-based capital ratio was 12.64 percent. Tier 1 capital increased to approximately $151.8million at June 30, 2013 from $136.7 million at June 30, 2012, reflecting an increase in retained earnings.

At June 30, 2013, the Corporation's capital ratios continued to exceed the minimum Federal requirements for a bank holding company, and Union Center National Bank's capital ratios continued to exceed each of the minimum levels required for classification as a "well capitalized institution" under the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Improvement Act ("FDICIA").

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Reported amounts are presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP"). The Corporation's management believes that the supplemental non-GAAP information provided in this press release is utilized by market analysts and others to evaluate a company's financial condition and, therefore, that such information is useful to investors. These disclosures should not be viewed as a substitute for financial results determined in accordance with GAAP, nor are they necessarily comparable to non-GAAP performance measures presented by other companies.

"Return on average tangible stockholders' equity" is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as net income as a percentage of tangible stockholders' equity. Tangible stockholders' equity is defined as common stockholders' equity less goodwill and other intangible assets. The return on average tangible stockholders' equity measure may be important to investors that are interested in analyzing the Corporation's return on equity excluding the effect of changes in intangible assets on equity.

The following table presents a reconciliation of average tangible stockholders' equity and a reconciliation of return on average tangible stockholders' equity for the periods presented. 

"Tangible book value per common share" is a non-GAAP financial measure and represents tangible stockholders' equity (or tangible book value) calculated on a per common share basis. The disclosure of tangible book value per common share may be helpful to those investors who seek to evaluate the Corporation's book value per common share without giving effect to goodwill and other intangible assets.

The following table presents a reconciliation of stockholders' equity to tangible common stockholders' equity and book value per common share to tangible book value per common share as of the dates presented.

"Tangible common stockholders' equity/tangible assets" is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as tangible common stockholders' equity as a percentage of total assets minus goodwill and other intangible assets. This measure may be important to investors that are interested in analyzing the financial condition of the Corporation without consideration of intangible assets, inasmuch as tangible common stockholders' equity and tangible assets both exclude goodwill and other intangible assets.

The following table presents a reconciliation of total assets to tangible assets and a comparison of total stockholders' equity/total assets to tangible common stockholders' equity/tangible assets as of the dates presented. 

Other income is presented in the table below including and excluding net gains. We believe that many investors desire to evaluate other income without regard for gains. 

"Efficiency ratio" is a non-GAAP financial measure and is defined as other expense as a percentage of net interest income on a tax equivalent basis plus other income, excluding net securities gains, calculated as follows:

About Center Bancorp

Center Bancorp, Inc. is a bank holding company, which operates Union Center National Bank, its main subsidiary. Chartered in 1923, Union Center National Bank is one of the oldest national banks headquartered in the state of New Jersey and now ranks as the third largest national bank headquartered in the state. Union Center National Bank is currently the largest commercial bank headquartered in Union County. Its primary market niche is its commercial banking business. The Bank focuses its lending activities on commercial lending to small and medium-sized businesses, real estate developers and high net worth individuals.

The Bank, through its Private Banking and Wealth Management Division, which includes its wholly-owned subsidiary, Center Financial Group LLC, provides personalized wealth management and advisory services to high net worth individuals and families. Our services include banking, liquidity management, investment services, custody, tailored lending, wealth planning, trust and fiduciary services, insurance, family wealth advisory services and philanthropic advisory services. The Bank, through a strategic partnership between the Bank's Private Banking Division and Alexander, Troy & Company ("AT&CO."), Family Office Services, of Katonah, New York, provides customized financial and administrative services to high-net worth individuals.

Center, through a strategic partnership with Compass Financial Management, LLC and ING, offers pension/401(k) planning services. Compass is an Investment Advisory Company with five decades of cumulative experience providing investment services in a personal, professional and attentive manner. They provide discretionary private investment management for individuals and corporate accounts as well as 401(k) advisory services.

The Bank currently operates 16 banking locations in Bergen, Mercer, Morris and Union Counties in New Jersey. Banking centers are located in Union Township (5 locations), Berkeley Heights, Boonton/Mountain Lakes, Englewood, Madison, Millburn/Vauxhall, Morristown, Oakland, Saddle River, Springfield, Princeton and Summit, New Jersey. Center opened a Private Banking and Loan Production Office in Princeton, NJ in June 2013. The Bank's primary market area is comprised of central and northern New Jersey.

For further information regarding Center Bancorp, Inc., please visit our web site at http://www.centerbancorp.com or call (800) 862-3683. For information regarding Union Center National Bank, please visit our web site at www.ucnb.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

All non-historical statements in this press release (including statements regarding future margin performance, the Bank's ability to market non-performing assets, the performance of restructured assets and other aspects of the Corporation's future performance) constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements may use forward-looking terminology such as "expect," "look," "believe," "plan," "anticipate," "may," "will" or similar statements or variations of such terms or otherwise express views concerning trends and the future. Such forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, the direction of interest rates, continued levels of loan quality and origination volume, Center Bancorp's ability to integrate Saddle River Valley Bank's branches into Center Bancorp's branch network, continued relationships with major customers,  including sources for loans, as well as the effects of international, national, regional and local economic conditions and legal and regulatory barriers and structure, including those relating to economic recovery and the deregulation of the financial services industry, and other risks cited in the Corporation's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed by the Corporation with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking statements. Center Bancorp, Inc. assumes no obligation for updating any such forward-looking statement at any time.